Students

Parents

Our Division

Mission Statement

Horizon is a 21st century inclusive learning community that engages and empowers all learners for success.

Statement of Values

We value...

Safe, caring, and inclusive learning environments

Student-centered decision making

Purposeful collaboration and partnerships

Quality staff and programs throughout our rural schools

Commitment

Accountability, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility

Ethical, transparent practices

Beliefs

We believe in and support...

Foundations of learning:

Parent and community engagement

Governance

Leadership

Professional learning

Research and evidence

Essential learning conditions:

Effective teaching

Effective learning environments

Effective supports and services

Inclusive education

Passionately engaged learners

Vision

Passionately engaged learners who confidently pursue continual improvement now and in the future as contributing global citizens

Profile

The Horizon School Division is a rural jurisdiction running south-north from Coutts on the Canada/US border to Lomond in the County of Vulcan. The Division provides education services to approximately 3550 students and consists of 16 schools of various grade configurations, one Christian Alternative School, and three Outreach schools. Additionally, there are 18 Hutterian Brethren schools scattered throughout the Division. Most of the communities within the Horizon School Division are small, with the Town of Taber, population 8,000, being the largest. Schools, excluding one-room Colony schools, range in size from 32 to 480 students.

In many of our rural schools, the number of students per grade is small, which has necessitated some double and even triple grading. Furthermore, school subjects are often cycled in multi-graded classrooms, which results in students writing exams a full year after completing the course.

Although our smaller schools face some unique challenges, a small school environment can provide advantages for the students. Smaller class sizes mean more individual attention. These schools are characterized by open and welcoming atmospheres that are safe, secure and strongly connected to the community. Our communities are very supportive of their local school and are actively involved in promoting quality educational experiences for the young people who attend there. Some schools and communities have been very proactive in developing Alternative Programs to attract students. Warner Hockey School and Vauxhall Academy of Baseball are two programs that have brought students from across the province and country to participate in elite level athletics. Horizon School Division is also very fortunate to have a superior staff who endeavor to do whatever it takes to meet the learning needs of the students we serve.

Over the past ten years, a substantial population of Low German Mennonite families from Mexico and other Central American countries has moved into the area. Almost all of these families have settled in the area around Taber, Vauxhall, Enchant, Barnwell, and Grassy Lake. The Division endeavours to accommodate children from these families and encourages their enrolment in our schools. A Kanadier Mennonite Learning Program provides an education setting that respects culture and integrates cultural components that the parents have identified as an important part of their children's' educational program.

The number of Hutterian Brethren schools has also increased, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue. Most Low German Mennonite and Hutterite students are English Second Language students. As such, Horizon has a significant percentage of ESL students. Over 40% of the students writing provincial achievement tests at the grade 3 level are ESL. Even with such a high number of ESL students, student achievement in Horizon School Division, as measured by Provincial Achievement Tests and Diploma Exams, generally meets or exceeds provincial standards and is above provincial averages.

Horizon School Division continues to offer exemplary inclusive educational programming for students with special needs. The number of students with special needs has remained constant over the past school year. Proportionately, Horizon School Division continues to have higher numbers of students with special needs than the provincial average.